Is it too soon…?
Welcome to our new-look blog on our brand new website!
With Advent Sunday just days away, your Vicar has the answers to all your important seasonal questions. (Note: the answers are not theological and do not represent the views of St Mary of Bethany Church or, indeed, anyone else.)
(1) When’s the right time to put up my Christmas decorations up?
During Covid this happened earlier than ever before, as people grabbed a bit of comfort in a dark and difficult time. With that said, this year it’s been a cause of confusion and dismay to many people to see Christmas trees in windows in mid-November. It’s important not to peak too soon for Christmas. As a member of a choir which has been known to start Christmas rehearsals in July (ghastly), and a member of the clergy who has to start planning Christmas in September, I prefer not to see decorations until 1 December, or Advent Sunday if it’s earlier than that. Of course, part of this is that clergy ‘live’ Christmas as a daily reality from late November, and we’ve got to pace ourselves; there’s only so much festivity anyone can manage. One year I reached ‘Peak Christmas’ halfway through a school service on 14 December – the next eleven days were a trial.
Our friends across the Atlantic have the right idea: no mention of Christmas until after Thanksgiving. All we need is to import Thanksgiving to match our wholesale adoption of Black Friday and all other things American, and we’ll be fine!
The exception to this is the decorations you’ve left up from last year, such as the charming window stickers in my kitchen reading, ‘Embrace the magic of the season’. (In fairness these have been up in my house for at least three years.) Why not embrace a bit of Christmas all year round? I realise this is completely inconsistent with the first paragraph of this answer.
(2) When can I play Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas is you’?
Again, I observe a strict 1 December limit. Listen earlier if you must: it’s your playlist after all.
(3) When can I eat mince pies/Christmas pudding?
I insist on buying the first box of mince pies I spot in the shops, normally in mid-September. Do be aware that this may have a negative effect on your cholesterol, blood pressure, Type B diabetes, etc. See above about consistency.
(4) How should I cook my sprouts?
I have given extensive advice on this in previous years up-front at St Mary’s, but it bears repeating here: pan fry them with garlic, bacon and/or chestnuts – delicious! Or steam them for ten minutes. Under no circumstances should you boil them. I once ate a Christmas dinner where I’m sure the sprouts had been on a low light for at least 48 hours.
(5) In my day we didn’t put anything up until 20 December!
Welcome to 2022 – things are different these days.
What hasn’t changed is that, for Christians, the season of Advent provides an opportunity for reflection and prayer in the run-up to the coming of Jesus. Not just his incarnation at Christmas, but his coming return as judge and king. Readying yourself spiritually takes space and intention – it means not succumbing to all the pressures of a secular Christmas, whether this means the season creeps earlier into November or the list of things to do grows ever longer. This year Advent starts as early as it can, because Christmas is on a Sunday. Take the opportunity to connect with God during this new time, perhaps in a tried and tested way, perhaps doing something new – a book, an app, a set of Bible readings, prayer and listening… And do share what God is saying and doing in your life – it’s a real encouragement to see where the Holy Spirit is at work.
